December 1, 2017 (Vol. 37, No. 21)
Rating:
Strong Points: Many ready-made experiments
Weak Points: Need additional equipment for full utility
Platform:
iPhone/iPad/Android
Cost:
Free
Summary:
SPARKvue, from Pasco Scientific, is a useful resource for science educators looking to bring more hands-on activities to their classroom. In combination with sensors that are available from Pasco Scientific, the app allows students to record and analyze data collected from their environment right on their phone. The app can connect to the sensors through Bluetooth, and the ability to login to a shared session makes it easy to keep an entire classroom on the same page. The app also comes with experiment plans, which include instructions for performing the experiment and background information necessary for understanding the purpose of the task. After data are collected, students can review and analyze their data through the app. The SPARKvue app is a great resource for teachers hoping to make their science classes more hands-on by incorporating real data collection into their science classrooms.
